HEALTHY LIFESTYLE AND FITNESS
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When was the last time you had a full medical health check-up? Regular health screening, important as it is, is something most of us ignored. Despite continuously hearing the phrase "Early Detection Saves Lives" most of us take our health for granted, hoping that illness won't happen to me. Here's some health tests your body should take regularly.
Uric Acid Tests
This blood test indicates if a person is at risk of gout. Gout occurs due to an excess of uric acid in the blood of the inability of kidneys to eliminate it properly Uric acid is a by-product from the breakdown of substances called purines, which are found abundantly in foods like liver, anchovies, mackerel, dried beans, peas, beer and wine. In a healthy individul uric acid is absorbed into the blood and moved to the kidneys where it should be excreted in the urine. Hyperuricaemia means an excessive amount of uric acid in the body.
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Blood Pressure
Regular blood pressure monitoring a must for everyone. The normal reading is 120/80 or lower, and any number higher than 140/90 is a big "no-no". The closer the reading is to 120/80, the lower the chances of developing high blood pressure induced disease. There are many diseases related to hypertension, such as stroke, heart disease, and eye and kidney problems. Therefore it is important to maintain your blood pressure at optimum level.
Pap Smears
Women who are sexually active take note : you must do a Pap Smear annually!
The Pap, or Paanicolau, smear, named after the scientist who developed it, screens for cervical cancer. The doctor will use a spatula to remove tissue cells from the cervix. These are then examined under the microscope for changes that might signify cancer or pre cancerous state. Why is this test important? A Pap smear can identify both cancerous as well as pre cancerous states of cervical cells. Since the introduction of the Pap smear, there has been a drastic drop of global deaths due to cervical cancer.
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Blood Glucose
There are a number of ways a blood glucose test can be done. The first thing is known as fasting blood glucose, which tests blood 8-10 hours after your last meal. An oral glucose tolerance test is a series of tests done to measure how well your body uses glucose (sugar). You will first be tested for fasting blood glucose. Then you will be asked to drink a glass of glucose and blood samples will be taken 30,60 and 180 minutes later.
Cholesterol Test
A high total of cholesterol level puts you at risk of heart disease and stroke
Ideally, you should have your cholesterol level every five years once you are
above the age of 20 and more regularly if you have ever had a high reading.
Any number above 200mg/dL is considered elevated and a reading of more than
240mg/dL is high. This screening is normally done in combination with other tests
to specifically check for high density lipoprotein (HDL), low density lipoprotein (LDL)
and triglyceride levels. together they form your lipid profile.
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More Health Tests here
Basic health test can be conducted at your nearest clinic in your neighbourhood, so go and get a basic health screening of your body. Certain specific health tests will be recommended if your doctor suspects you are at risk of a particular illness or if you have a family history of disease or exhibit early symptoms of disease.
Lead a stress free lifestyle to stay healthy and prevent illnesses and health disorders.
